Of same place



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. W. HOWELL. a AUTOMATIG REPRIGERATING MACHINE. No. 535,751.Paint-5nt'ed Mar. 12,1895;

ITNESSES: INVENTOR .(SM' BY Tm: uonms PEYEBS co. PHOYOLIYHQ. WASNINOTON.n. c

(No Model.) 4 Shets-Sheet 2. v

WV. HOWELL. AUTOMATIC 'REFRIGERATING MACHINE.

No. 535,761. Patented Mar. 12,1895.

w/ NESSES: 5 INVENTOH n1: uonms PETERS coy, PHOTO-LHHO msnmsmm u. c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E, W. HOWELL.

AUTOMATIC REPRIGER-ATING'MAGHINE.

No. 535,761. Patented. Man'lZ, 1895;

WITNESSES:

1m: NORRIS VETERS on, PHOTO-MING. WASHINGYOH, u. c

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

IE .v W. HOWELL. AUTOMATIC REFEIGERATING MACHINE. No. 535,761. PatentedMar. 12, 1895.

WITNESSES: A l

'mgnomus PETERS co.. PHuTo-LWHQ, wnsumoron, n. c.

ammonia in its several stages.

crating purposes.

NHED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD W. HOVELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DAVID M.DEMAREST AND ALBERT N. ROMAINE, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC BEFRlGERATlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,761, dated March12, 1895. Application filed August 31, 1894. Serial No. 521.844. (Nomodel.)

To all who? it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD W. HOWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Refrigerating Machines; and I hereby declare that the following specification, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, isa full, clear, and exact description of my invention.

The great difficulty with the known types of automatic absorptionrefrigerating machines has been that the back. pressure in the absorberand refrigerating coil has been sufficient to prevent the free movementof the This objection is removed by my improvements.

The object of my invention, therefore, is to produce a simple, compactand automatic absorption refrigerating machine suitable for use inhotels, dwellings, &c., which will con tinuously and effectivelyaccomplish the processes of vaporizing, condensing, expanding andabsorbing ammoniacal vapors for refrig- My invention comprises asuitable still, a condenser, a refrigerating coil, mainand auxiliaryabsorbers arranged to receive the ex panded gas from the refrigeratingcoil and the weak-liquor from the still and adapted to prevent backpressure in the coil, and a novel construction of automatic valves; allthe parts being so arranged with relation to each other as tocontinuously generate an anhydrous ammonia gas from the automaticallysupplied aqua-ammonia, through the refrigerating coil where it expandsand takes up the heat from the refrigerating box, and finally pass itinto the absorber where the expanded gas is taken up by the supply ofaquaammonia and held in readinessto be again passed to the still. Anautomatic burner is provided for heatingthe still and the peculiararrangement of passages and valves renders the machine automaticthroughout.

My invention further consists of numerous features of construction whichwill first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings andafterward particularly pointed out in the annexed claims.

in Fig. 7.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a general elevation illustrating myimproved refrigerating machine, the principal parts being shown insection for the purpose of illustrating the internal construction. Fig.2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the still. Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional elevation of the absorber. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of thecondenser and cooler. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View of the stilltaken on the line 5, 5, of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailelevation of the valve-operating mechanism. Fig. 7 is an enlargedlongitudinal section of the main supply and blow-off valve of the still.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail representation of some of the minor parts.

Similar numerals of reference indicatethe same parts throughout theseveral views.

The entire machine is built of suitable metal preferably iron or steel,and is constructed of sufficient strength to stand the great pressure towhich it is subjected.

l is the cylindrical still formed with the upper head 2 and the lowerhead 3. The heads 2 and 3 are secured in place by suitable screwbolts.inwardly projecting combustion chamber 4 from which extend the four hotair tubes 5 which unite adjacentto the top of the still in a coupling 6from which extends the hot air tube or chimney 7.

8 is a stuffing box in the head 2 for forming a tight joint around thehot air tube '7.

9 is the gas burner of any suitable construction, supplied with gasthrough the pipe 10, from which also extends a smaller pipe terminatingin a continuously burning pilot light 11. r

12 is a cock interposed in the pipe 10 for regulating the fiow of gas tothe burner 9. The cock 12 is automatically operated by means which willpresently be described.

13 is the combined automatic blowoff and filling valve tapped into theside of the still 1. The construction of this valve is clearly shown Itconsists of a suitable casting secured in the side of the still andhaving a main bore 14 leading out from the opening into the still,a-vertical bore 15 communicating with the combined blow-off and fillingtube, and a rotary hollow valve-plug 16 formed The lower head 3 isformed with an 2 forks 41 and 44 for operating the valves.

with a suitable opening 17 and integral with an operating spindle 18.The operating spindle 18 passes through an oil chamber 19 and isprovided on its projecting end with suitable means for automaticallyoperating it. This means for operating the valve will be presentlyexplained.

20 is a water coil inside of the still 1 and surrounding the hot airtubes 5. This water coil pipe leaves the still at one side and leads tothe sewer or other suitable waste. The water pipe for supplying water tothe coil passes from the pan of the condenser, which will presently bedescribed, and enters the top of the still. Avalve 21 isinterposed inthewater pipe 20 for admitting or cutting off the supply of water to thecoil. The object of the coil 20 is to quickly cool off the still when itis desired. The valve 21 is automatically controlled in a manner whichwill now be described.

22 is a vertically movable rod supported centrally in the-still 1 bythelower bearing 23 and upper bearing 24. 25 is a float adapted to movevertically on said rod, and 26 and 27 are collars adjustably secured tothe rod 22 for limiting the movement of the float.

28 is a rock shaft journaled in a suitable bearing 29which is tappedinto the side of the still 1.

30 is a crank arm keyed to the inner end of the rock shaft 28.

31 is a vertically sliding plate formed with slotted guides 32 whichengage with the bolts 33 by means of which the plate issupported. Theplate 31 is provided with pins 35 which engage on opposite sides of thecrank arm 30, so that a vertical movement of the sliding plate 31 willcause the rock shaft 28 to rock in its bearings.

36 is an arm rigidly secured to the rod 22 and engaging in an opening 37in the plate 31, whereby any movement of the rod 22, by reason of theengagement of the float 25 with one of the collars 26 or 27, will causethe plate 31 to move vertically in its bearings and, through the crankarm 30, rock the shaft 28.

Keyed to the valve stem 40 of the gas-controlling valve 12 is a forkedcrank arm 41, and keyed to the valve stem 42 of the valve 21 is a crankarm 43. Keyed to the valve spindle 18 of the combined blow-off andfilling valve 13, is a forked crank arm 44. Journaled on the outer endof each of the valve stems 40 and 18 is a rocking cradle 45, comprisinga long cylindrical chamber 47 in which is carried a ball 46 for thepurpose presently to be explained. 48 are operating pins which projectfrom the cradles and engage with the The cradles are journaled on thevalve stems so as to move readily. 49is a connecting rod connecting thecradles 45 of the valves 12 and 13 to insure said valves being operatedin unison the valve 12 being open when valve 13 is closed, and viceversa. 50'is a double crank arm keyed to'the outer'end of the rock shaft28. One arm of the double crank arm 50 is connected to the crank arm 43of the valve 21 through the rod 51, while the other arm is connected toone end of the cradle 45 of the valve 13 through the connecting rod orpitman 52. The pitman is positively pivoted to the crank-arm 50 and isformed with an elongated slot 52 in its opposite end which engages a lug45 on the cradle 45 of the valve 13.

The movement of the float on the rod 22 in the still -1 will cause saidrod to move up or down (as the case may be) which in turn will oscillatethe rock-shaft 28 through the arm 36, plate 31 and crank arm 30, andcause the valves 12, 13 and 21 to be simultaneously operated, the valve12 being open while the valves 13 and 21 are closed andvice versa. Inthe operation of the valves 12 and 13, the initial movement is impartedby the connect ing rod 52 acting on the lug 45, but as soon as thecradles have been moved slightly past the horizontal the balls 46 willroll to the opposite ends of the cylinders 47 and shift them suddenly soas to complete the opening or closing of the valves with a quickmovement.

This rapid opening and closing of the valves is very important.

55 is the main receiver for holding and supplying the aqua-ammonia tothestill, and for absorbing the expanded ammonia gas after it has passedthrough the refrigerating coil. I will hereinafter speak of thisreceiver as the main absorber. The main absorber 55 is provided withheads 56 and 57 which are secured together by bolts 58 which passthrough their projecting edges.

59 is an inlet pipe provided with a cock 60 through which theaqua-ammonia is supplied to the absorber.

61 is the main supply pipe leading from the side of the absorber to thevertical inlet bore 15 of the valve 13. 62 is a check valve interposedin said pipe 61. The check valve allows the passage of aqua-ammonia tothe still but prevents the passage of the aqua-ammonia or gas back tothe absorber.

65 is the condenser comprising a suitable cylindrical vessel 66 open attop, an ammonia gas coil 67, a receiver 68 into which the coil leads,and a water spray 69.

70 is the ammonia gas pipe leading from the upper head 2 of the still 1and communieating with the ammonia gas coil 67. 71 is a safety valveinterposed in said pipe 70.

72 is asmall drip pipe communicating with the pipe 70 between the stilland safety valve, and leading to an enlarged drip pipe 73 whichcommunicates at its lower end with the still 1 through the tube 74. 75is a cock interposed in said tube 74. Any water of condensation that iscarried off with the ammonia gas will collect in the reservoir 73 andflow to the still.

76 is a low pressure valve and 77 is a check valve interposed in theammonia gas coil 67 just above the receiver 68. As above stated, thewater supply pipe 20 communicates with the receptacle 66 of thecondenser for supplying water to the cooling coil of the'st-ill. The gasin the coil 67 is constantly cooled by the spray 69 so that it iscondensed'by the time it reaches the receiver 08.

Returning to the structure of the main absorber it will be observed thata water coil leading from any suitable water supply,

enters one side of the absorber near the bottom and coils around withinthe main part containing the aqua-ammonia, and passes out again near thetop and up, and around and down through the upper head 56 of theabsorber where it is formed into a smaller coil 81 which is embraced inthe secondary absorbing chamber 82. From the secondary absorber 82 the"water pipe passes up and cominunicates with the spray 69 of thecondenser. 83 is a small pipe leading from the main absorber 55 near thetop down through the absorber head 56 and into the secondary absorber82, where it terminates ina perforated pipe 84. This is for the purposeof relieving the main absorber of pressure by collecting any gas or heatthat may gather at the top of the main absorber and passing it over intothe secondary absorber where it is taken up. 85 isa check valveinterposed in the pipe 83. 86 is a siphon tube entering the secondaryabsorber 82 from the main absorber and passing down to a point near thebottom and then up to a point near the center of the secondary absorber.The inner open end of the siphon tube is always submerged. This siphontube is provided with a check value 38, and is for the purpose ofpassing into the main absorber the surplus of the weak aqua-ammoniareturned to the secondary absorber from the still. The surplus pressurein the secondary absorber is relieved through the pipe 104 which willpresently be described.

90 is the cooler provided with acooling coil 91 and a receiver 92 withwhich it communicates. The coil 91 also communicates with the verticalbore 15 of the valve 13 through an elongated U-shaped extension 93. 94is a reducing valve interposed in said extension 93.

95 is a check valve interposed in the coil 91. 96 is a gagecommunicating with the still 1 through the head 2, and 97 is a crosspipe leadpipe 97.

ing from the gage to the U-shaped extension 93 which leads to thecooling coil 91.

98 is a safety valve interposed in the cross- The cooling receptacle 90is supplied with water from the receptacle 66 of the condenser ofallowing the escape of the weak aqua-ammonia into the secondaryabsorber. This pipe 102 has a check valve 103.

104: is a pipe passing up through the column 101 from a point near thebottom of receiver 92 out of the top of said column then over and downinto communication with the secondary absorber 82. A check valve 105 isinterposed in this pipe. The pipe 104 relieves the secondary absorber ofall objectionablepressure.

Leading from the receiver 68 of the condenser 65 is a pipe 106 which ispassed through the refrigerating coil and then back to the absorber 55,a check valve 108 and cook 109 being interposed in said pipe near theabsorber for regulating thefiow of the expanded ammonia gas. The pipeleading from the refrigerating coil passes into the absorber to a pointnear the center where it communicates with a perforated or slotteddistributing chamher 110 from which the gas bubbles up through theaqua-ammonia and is absorbed thereby and serves to continuallystrengthen it.

111 is an automatic valve of peculiar construction for regulating theflow of condensed ammonia vapor from the condenser 65 to therefrigerating coil. This valve is operated by water which is suppliedthrough the pipe 112 which leads past the valve and back to the verticalpipe 99. The construction of this automatic valve has been covered inanother application filed by me February 20, 1895, Serial No. 539,131,and will not be further described here.

The operation may be briefly described as follows: Having first suppliedthe absorber 55 with a sufficient quantity of aqua-ammonia at 260Fahrenheit, aqua-ammonia will flow from the absorber into the still 1,the valves being open forithis purpose. into the still until it hasreached a sufficient height to lift the float 25 up into engagement withthe collar 26, which will cause the rod 22 to move vertically and,through the mechanism above described, rock the shaft 28 in its bearingsand close the valve 13 and open the valve 12. The burner 9 is thenautomatically lighted from the pilot light 11 and heat is generated inthe still. The heat will soon cause the vapor of ammonia to rise andpass out through the pipe 70 past the safety valve 71.

to the condenser. Here the gas is condensed and led to the refrigeratingcoil (through the automatic valve 111) where it expands and takes up theheat. From the refrigerating coil the expanded gas is led-back to theabsorber 55 and taken up by the aqua-ammonia therein. After a certainquantity of ammonia gas has been driven out of the still 1 the floatwill fall snfiiciently to engage the lower collar 27 of the rod 22 whichwill cause a reversal of the movement of the rock-shaft 28 whichcontrols the valves. This will shut offthe gas to the main burner andopen the exhaust valve 13 and cooling coil valve 21.

the still is now sufficient to force all of the 1 weaken ed liquid outthrough the valve 13 and The liquid will flow.

IIO

The pressure in up through the U-shaped extension 93 down to the coolercoil 91. The pressure in the still and pipes prevents the flow of afresh supply of liquid ammonia by reason of the action of the checkvalve, until the weak liquid has been blown out of the way. The speigtliquor passes from the reservoir 92 up the column 101 and pipe 104 tothe secondary absorber where it is taken up in the manner alreadydescribed. While the still is exhausting the spent liquid the water fromthe condenser can be cooling it off by passing it through the coil 20,or if desired, the flow of water can be checked until after the spentliquid has been exhausted. After the still 1 is emptied of the spentliquor a partial vacuum is produced which will cause the new charge ofaqua-ammonia to pass from the absorber 55 through the valve 13 intothe'still. When the still fills up with the aqua-ammonia the valves willbe automatically shifted as above explained. Each charge of ammonia gasfrom the still will force the condensed charge forward from thecondenser into the refrigerator, and each charge of the weak liquorexhausted from the still will force the preceding charge of weak liquorback into the main absorber.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In an automatic refrigerating machine,

thecombination of an absorber for containing aqua-ammonia, a stillhaving weak liquor and strong liquor pipes and communicating with saidabsorber through the strong liquor pipe, a condenser communicating withthe still, a refrigerating coil communicating with the condenser andabsorber, and automatic means for controlling the passage of the ammoniafrom the absorber to the still, the eX- haust of the weak liquor fromthe still and the heating of the still, whereby the ammo nia iscontinuously vaporized, condensed, expanded and absorbed, substantiallyas set forth.

2. In an automatic refrigerating machine, the combination of anabsorber, a still, a suitable burner for heating the still, valves forcontrolling the supply of ammonia to the still from the absorber and forcontrolling the supply of gas to the burner, automatic means foroperating said valves in unison, whereby the ammonia valve will beclosed when the burner valve is open, and vice versa, and a suitablecondenser and refrigerating coil, substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic refrigerating machine, the combination of anabsorber, a still, asuitable burner for heating the still, a coolingcoil passing through the still, valves for controlling the flow ofammonia to and from the still and for controlling the flow of gas to theburner and water to the cooling coil, automatic means for operating allof said valves in unison, and a suitable condenser and refrigeratingcoil, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a refrigerating machine, the combination of a suitable still, avertically movable rod supported in said still, a float mounted uponsaid rod, collars confining the float on said rod, an arm keyed to thevertically movable rod, a rock-shaft journaled in the wall of the stilland adapted to be rocked by said arm, valves controlling the supply ofammonia to the still and gas to the burner, suitable connections betweenthe rock-shaft and said valves, and a suitable absorber condenser andrefrigerating coil, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of a still forvaporizing aqua ammonia, a burner for heating the still, hot-air tubespassing up from the burner through the still, a cooling coil surroundingthe hot-air tubes in the still, a water supply connected to the coolingcoil, valves controlling the supply of water through the cooling coil,and gas to the burner, and automatic means for controlling said valves,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of a still, an ammoniasupply entering the still, a valve controlling the supply of ammonia, aburner for heating the still, a valve for controlling the supply of gasto the burner, a cooling coil supported in the still, a valve forcontrolling the passage of water through the cooling coil, and means forsimultaneously operating said valves consisting of a rockshaft suitablyconnected to the valves and a float in the still adapted to operate saidrock shaft whereby the water valve and ammonia supply valve will beclosed when the gas valve is opened and vice versa, substantially as setforth.

7. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of the still, an ammoniasupply to said still, a valve controlling said supply, a burner forheating the still, a valve for regulating the supply of gas to theburner, a vertically movable rod'supported in the still, a float foractuating the rod, a rock-shaft journaled in the wall of the still andadapted to be operated by the vertically movable rod through suitableconnecting devices, a cooling coil supported in the still, a valvecontrolling the passage of water through the cooling coil, and meansconnecting the water valve, ammonia valve and gas valve to the rockshaft, whereby they are simultaneously operated, substantially as setforth.

8. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of the still, an ammoniasupply to said still, a valve controlling said supply, a burner forheating the still, a valve for regulating the supply of gas to theburner, cradles carrying balls and adapted to actuate saidvalves, andautomatic means for actuating said cradles, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of the still, an ammoniasupply to said still, a valve controlling said supply, a burner forheating the still, a valve for regulating the supply of gas to theburner, forked arms keyed to the valves, cradles lopsely mounted on thevalve stems and provided with cylindrical chambers, balls supported inthe cylindrical chambers, a rod connecting the cradles, an automaticallyoperated rock-shaft, a crank on said rock-shaft, a pitm an pivoted tosaid crank and formed with a slotted end, and a lug on one of thecradles engaging in the slot of said pitman, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

10. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of a still, a condensercommunicating therewith, an ammonia supply, a blow'off pipecommunicating with the still, and a valve con trolling the supply andblow-off, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination, in a refrigerating ma chine, of a still, acondenser communicating therewith, an ammonia supply pipecommunieatingwith the still, acheck valve in said ammonia supply pipe, a blow-offpipe communicating with the still at the same point as the supply, avalve in said blow-off pipe, a valve controlling. both the supply andblow-off, a cooling coil communicating with the blow-off, and anabsorber communicating with the ammonia supply and with the coolingcoil, sub stantially as set forth. 7

12. The combination, in a refrigerating ma chine, of a still, an ammoniasupply to the still, a blow-0E pipe also communicating with the still,an inverted U-shaped extension of the blow-off pipe, a cooling coilcommunicating therewith, and an absorber communicating with the ammoniasupply and with the cooling coil, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of a cooling coil, areceiving chamber at the bottom of the cooling coil, a stand pipeextending up from the receiving chamber, a small pipe extending up fromthe receiving chamber through the stand pipe, an absorber, and suitablecommunications between the ab sorber and the stand pipe and small pipe,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of an absorber forholding a supply of liquid ammonia and for absorbing the expandedgaseous ammonia which passes from the refrigerating coil, a cooling coilpassing through the body of the absorber, a secondary absorber supportedin the top of the main absorber, and a secondary cooling coil passingfrom the main coil and located in the secondary absorber, substantiallyas set forth.

15. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of an absorbercomprising a suitable vessel, a cooling coil, a pipe leading from theabsorber for the passage of the ammonia to the still, a valved pipe forsupplying the expanded ammonia gas which passes from the refrigeratingcoil, a distributing chamber at the bottom of the absorber with whichsaid pipe communicates, a cooling coil, and means for preventing backpressure in the absorber, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of an absorber having acooling coil and an ammonia gas supply, a secondary absorber supportedin the top of the main absorber, a secondarycooling coil, a pipecommunicating between the top of the main absorber and the bottom of thesecondary absorber, and a siphon pipe leading from the secondaryabsorber to the main absorber, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

17. The combination, in a refrigerating machine, of an absorber having acooling coil and an ammonia gas supply, a refrigerating coilcommunicating with the absorber through the ammonia gas supply, asecondary absorber supported in the top of the main absorber and havinga secondary cooling coil, a pipe communicating between the top of themain absorber and the bottom of the secondary absorber, a siphon pipeleading from the secondary absorber to the main absorber, a stillcommunicating with the absorber, a condenser communicating with thestill and the refrigerating coil, a blow-off from the stillcommunicating with a cooling coil, a stand-pipe extending up from thecooling coil and communicating with the secondary absorber, and a smallpipe extending up through the standpipe and also communicating with thesecond ary absorber, whereby back pressure in the refrigerating coil isavoided, substantally as set forth.

EDWARD \V. HOWELL.

Witnesses:

W. 0. KING,

D. M. JEWETT.

